UK imposes largest package of sanctions against Russia

The measures will target funds that go into Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin's military piggy bank, as well as the Russian war machine, the structures in third countries that support it and the fragile supply networks it relies on, the British government said.

The British sanctions target manufacturers and suppliers of machine tools, electronics and dual-use goods for the Russian military, including microprocessors used in weapons systems.

They are based in a number of third countries, including Central Asian countries, Turkey, Thailand, India and China, which is the largest supplier of critical goods to the Russian military.

The sanctions were imposed against North Korean Defense Minister Roh Kwang Chol and other North Korean generals and officials involved in the deployment of more than 11,000 DPRK troops to Russia.

Britain also sanctioned 13 Russian targets, including Grant Trade LLC, its owner Marat Mustafayev and his sister Dinara Mustafayeva, who used the company to supply advanced European technology to Russia to support its illegal war.

For the first time, Britain has targeted foreign financial institutions that support the Russian war machine, including the Kyrgyz Republic-based Keremet Bank, undermining Russia's use of the international financial system to support its war effort.

The new sanctions will increase pressure on Putin's energy revenues, in particular 40 more ships of the “shadow fleet” that transport Russian oil have been sanctioned. This brings the total number of oil tankers hit by UK sanctions to 133, the highest number of any country in Europe.

Britain hit 14 “new kleptocrats” with sanctions, some of whom head strategic sectors of the Russian economy. Among them is Roman Trotsenko, one of Russia's richest men with a fortune of £2.2 billion.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the package, the largest in three years, underlined Britain's commitment to Ukraine.

“Every military supply line destroyed, every ruble blocked, every collaborator of Putin's aggression exposed is a step towards a just and lasting peace, and security and prosperity in the UK, which is part of this government's Plan for Change. Lasting peace can only be achieved by force. That is why we are focused on putting Ukraine in as strong a position as possible,” he emphasized.

Photo: ostro.org.